From "I Do" to DIY: 6 Hands-On Renovations for a Newlywed Nest

Many couples eagerly anticipate the moment they step inside their new home together. As it’s your first residence as a couple, it’s only natural to want to personalize it and make improvements.

Consider these D.I.Y. renovation projects to help you make your and your partner’s new space unique.

 

1. Provide a Fresh Coat of Paint

Repainting your walls is a low-cost, big-impact upgrade. Go to the hardware store and buy supplies like rollers, tarps, brushes and a color you love. Before painting, make sure your floors and furniture are covered. This project costs around $200 to $300 and might take up to nine hours, depending on your room’s size.

 

2. Spruce Up Your Lawn

Inspect your lawn with your partner and observe where you could make improvements. To start, you can remove weeds and plant over bare patches. You and your significant other can grow flowers and vegetables to improve access to fresh foods.

People who grow their vegetables are more likely to eat healthy foods and get exercise. The walking, lifting and bending associated with gardening make for great workouts, which can increase your body’s immune system function.

 

3. Do a Garage Makeover

Update your garage to make room for work, play or a new sanctuary. Reorganize the items, follow a specific color scheme and add decorations to match your and your partner’s vision.

For instance, if you want to transform it into an entertainment room, add pops of colors and video game consoles. Additionally, consider adding insulation to protect your garage and any new equipment from harsh weather conditions. Fiberglass can help regulate temperature throughout the year.

 

4. Redesign Your Bedroom

Whether it’s decor, furniture or even little things like bed sheet colors, allow that to be the center of the room. Start with items you love and streamline from there. Even though it’s a shared room, you still want to carve out a space for yourself. For instance, you can create a walk-in closet while your partner has a reading nook.

Take this opportunity to showcase your favorite wedding photos on the wall, bedside table or desk. Marriage is full of surprises — there will always be problems, but your wedding memories will remind you of your love for one another.

 

5. Replace or Repair Roof

Check if the roof needs fixing or maintenance. Look at any mounted exhaust fans, vent stacks, chimney caps, satellite dishes, obsolete antennas and trees that come into contact with the house. Inspect the edge above the gutter, which is susceptible to freezing during winter. Before making any repairs, ensure you rake leaf leftovers, clean the gutters and clear debris.

 

6. Upgrade Your Kitchen

Living together means creating homemade meals you two will share. At first, you may think a kitchen upgrade is unnecessary, but it will be once children arrive. Caring for kids involves a lot of homemade meals, requiring a functional kitchen.

Consider replacing old cookware and appliances. Opt for energy-efficient gadgets to help lower power consumption. Check kitchen cabinets for cracks, chipped paint and splinters. If you notice one of these signs, it’s time to upgrade to new cabinetry. Otherwise, consider installing new handles or painting to match your ideal kitchen vibe.

You could add a kitchen island if you and your partner are passionate about cooking. It offers extra storage and worktop space, improving traffic flow in your kitchen. It’s also ideal if you love hosting parties, as it provides casual seating — simply add barstools, and it’ll become the perfect place for conversations and drinks.

What to Consider Before Starting a Project

Home renovations can sometimes be a headache, but they shouldn’t be stressful. Here’s how to navigate projects together and remain happy.

1. Consider Your Free Time

Painting walls and redesigning bedrooms are small-scale projects you can complete on a weekend if you commit to it together. On the other hand, a major kitchen upgrade can take a few weeks to complete. Assess how much time you can dedicate to a project and how long you’re both comfortable living while construction is underway.

 

2. Assess Each Other’s Skill Set

Stick to your strengths and defer to your partner's skills to minimize disagreements. For example, if you’re great at painting, you may consider leading repainting projects. Meanwhile, if your spouse prefers yard work, follow their lead. Ask them if they want to work together or take the lead on certain projects to enhance teamwork.

 

3. Know When to Hire a Pro

The more complicated a project, the higher the risk of disagreements between you and your spouse. Challenging home maintenance or repair tasks can cause stress, leading to arguments or tension. Hire a professional if you both want to complete a more complicated task. While bonding and exploring with your new life mate is excellent, technical projects are better handed over to experts to protect your safety and relationship.

 

Renovate Together

D.I.Y. home improvement projects allow you and your partner to build your dream home. With these ideas and tips, it’ll be easier to know which low-risk projects to tackle as a couple and which are better assigned to professionals.

 

 

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

 

 

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